Abstract: A document processing apparatus includes an microprocessing unit, a main memory, an external memory, a cathode ray tube display, and input units (e.g., a pointing device and a keyboard). In this apparatus, graphic (e.g., an illustration) data, image (e.g., a photographic image) data, and character (e.g., a sentence) data for a frame formed on a sheet are controlled. Frame size data is also stored in the above memories. The microprocessing unit designates the size data or one of the graphic, image, and character data to be obtained.

Abstract: A system for improving the efficiency and reliability of entering data into a database or spreadsheet computer program by providing suggested completions to the data entry operator. The operator invokes an edit mode (200) for a particular data area and a dynamic list of possible completions is generated (210) based on other data items associated with the edited data area. The list of possible completions is dynamic because it changes to reflect the status of the current data within the database or spreadsheet. As the operator enters characters of a data item (220), the list of completed data items is searched for an entry that matches the entered data item (230). If a match is found then the matching item is displayed to the data entry operator as a suggested completion (240). The data entry operator can then elect to accept the suggested completion (250) or to continue entering the data item.

Abstract: In computer graphics systems, a view of scene of primitives is represented by pixel data associated with a set S of pixels. The present invention identifies whether a given primitive is visible at the set S of pixels by storing in a buffer, for each pixel P belonging to set S, a depth value Z.sub.old associated with the pixel P. The depth value Z.sub.old is partitioned into a plurality of portions including a most significant portion and at least one less significant portion. The buffer comprises a plurality of contiguous blocks each storing corresponding portions of the depth value Z.sub.old for a given set SP of consecutive pixels belonging to set S. A set SQ of consecutive pixels belonging to set S that cover the given primitive is determined. The most significant portion of the depth value Z.sub.old of the set SQ of consecutive pixels are fetched from the buffer. For each pixel Q belonging to set SQ, the most significant portion of the depth value Z.sub.

Abstract: A three-dimensional texture is mapped onto a graphically-displayed surface by interpolating locations for elements of the texture using an associated distance relationship which locates the element with respect to the surface and a reference location spaced a distance apart from the surface. A first array of points representing the surface are stored, each of the points having an element of the three-dimensional texture and a distance to the element associated therewith. Upon a command to move the displayed surface, a new location for each point of the first array is computed, to obtain a second array representing the moved surface. A location for each element of the three-dimensional texture associated with each point of the first array is interpolated from the corresponding point in the second array and a reference location spaced apart from the moved surface.

Abstract: Supplemental data, as textured data, for use with geometric data to produce a display image is expanded by relating between display space and model space. A texture map storing supplemental data is enhanced by first applying new texture data as color, to an image in two dimensional display space. The locations for the data in the dimensional model space are determined and transformed into texture map space to receive the applied new texture data. Texture data is placed in the texture map by scan conversion of texels and blending.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus has a keyboard including a single, mode designation key, a display having display areas for displaying groups of operation modes of similar nature, a memory for storing input information and a designated operation mode, a non-volatile memory for saving mode information, and a controller for controlling the operation sequence of the apparatus. A desired operation mode can be designated with simple key input operation.

Abstract: A message management system produces files necessary for generating messages, localizing message catalogs, and displaying online help messages from a single master message file. Revisions and up-dates of the message system are performed by editing a single file, the master message file. A set of tools is provided to process the master message file to build the outputs.

Abstract: Objects are represented in a coordinate space which is twice scanned by scan lines, once in one direction and then once in another direction. At each scan line, a list of line segments is generated, where each line segment represents the intersection of the projection of a polygon and the scan line. The segments are then examined to determine which are visible segments, using the z values of the end points of the segments. The visible segments of a scan line are compared to the visible segments of a previous scan line or an accumulation of visible lines, and if the end points of a visible segment taken from a polygon differ by less than a threshold amount, the lines formed between end points in one scan line and the adjacent scan line are considered to be visible lines. Where the two scans are a horizontal scan and a vertical scan, the threshold amount for vertical scans is the distance between horizontal scans and the threshold amount for horizontal scans is the distance between vertical scans.

Abstract: A Chinese word inputting apparatus and method converts a Pinyin alphabetic string into a Chinese character, divides the Pinyin alphabetic string input via a keyboard into Chinese syllables by a Chinese word syllabifying mechanism. The input Pinyin alphabetic string is may include a symbol or numeral indicating an unknown portion of the Pinyin alphabetic string and the alphabetic string may include tone data. The Pinyin alphabetic string may also be input in the form of initials, each initial corresponding to a Chinese character. A word boundary setting mechanism determines a word boundary of the input Pinyin alphabetic string by using a list of possible Pinyin alphabetic strings and stored in a dictionary. The input Pinyin alphabetic string is converted into a Chinese word by a Chinese word converting mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for reducing a page to include orphan lines on a subsequent page which includes determining whether a spatial reduction of the first page will create sufficient space for the orphan lines, selecting one of the spatial reduction methods if the spatial reduction method creates sufficient space for the orphan lines, given the maximum reduction capable for the first page and reducing and moving the set of lines according to the spatial reduction method selected.

Abstract: An enhanced user interface for a remote terminal which include a technique of allowing users to define the order in which data is entered, define what particular function keys represent, and to display certain fields in a customize manner.

Abstract: A high quality texture filtering technique in a computer hardware system. The texture filtering quality of the present invention is comparable to trilinear filtering. However, the present invention reduces the number of memory accesses by fifty percent in comparison to trilinear filtering. To achieve this result, the present invention determines a pixel value based upon one or more texel values, e.g., four texel values, from only one of two mipmap levels. The mipmap level that is used is based upon the fractional portion of the LOD value and the position of the pixel. For a group of pixels having the same LOD value, the present invention performs a dithering operation that results in some pixel values being determined using texel values from the lower level mipmap and the remaining pixel values being determined using texel values from the higher level mipmap.

Abstract: A method of operating a processor control machine, and a machine having a processor for producing human perceptible output related to an image display feature presented in an original image using the model data structure (the model) from which the original image was produced. In response to the display of an output producing region displayed coextensively with the first image segment including a display feature representing a data item in the model, a human perceptible output is produced using the data item. This is done at the same time as the first image is being displayed, giving the perception to a machine user of providing information related to the display feature in the first segment. The human perceptible output is a second image displayed by the output producing region, called a viewing operation region, or VOR. The VOR consists of one or more explicit input regions and one or more explicit output regions, spatially separated from the one or more input regions.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for playing back selectively a desired part of continuous data by using an input event as a clue. The apparatus comprises: first storage means for storing continuous data sequentially inputted; second storage means for storing a plurality of input events occurring at arbitrary times during the continuous data sequence; third storage means for storing data enabling identity of addresses a in the first storage means of locations in the continuous data sequence respectively corresponding to the input events; specifying means for specifying one of the input events stored in the second storage means; and playback means for playing back a selected portion of the continuous data stored in the first storage means in accordance with the identifying data stored in the third storage means which corresponds to the input event specified through the specifying means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for visually rendering a three dimensional structure as an image on a two dimensional display without specialized hardware. The invention renders each object of the structure one at a time on the display in descending order according to a measured distance, i.e., rear to front of the structure, of the object from a predetermined view point. As each object is rendered, depth relationships between the objects are conveyed to users. To reduce the number of computations required for rendering the objects, the present method and apparatus use a reference point to determine the measured distance from the predetermined view point to each object.

Abstract: A document processing method and system for automizing extraction of source language sentences from figures, which is the pre-processing for figure translation, as well as embedding of translated sentences in drawings, which is the postprocessing in figure translation. The pre-processing consists of recognizing the regions included in a source figure, extracting a sentence from each region, and extracting the topological characteristics of the figure, and the post-processing consists of enlarging shrinking each sentence display region according to the change of the sentence length by translation, and generating a figure which preserves the extracted topological characteristics and includes the enlarged/shrinked sentence display regions.

Abstract: A method and system for flexibly managing a presentation data stream which includes an ordered stream of uniquely identified data objects and associated elements which specify format and presentation parameters for those data objects for utilization within a specified application. An include object structured field is provided within the data stream which identifies a particular data object and specifies alternate presentation parameters for utilization with that data object. Thereafter, the data object reference within the include object structured field can be presented utilizing the alternate presentation parameters, which override the presentation parameters associated with the referenced data object, obviating any requirement for providing alternate versions of that object for each of multiple diverse applications.

Abstract: Shadow images, which are formed on a light-receiving surface by occluding light emitted from a light source with at least one occluding surface, are drawn by the generating data representative of brightness discontinuity edges that partition the light-receiving surface into loop areas that are completely occluded by the occluding surface and loop areas that are partially or totally irradiated by the light source. An irradiation state is assigned to each loop area. The loop areas are then divided into meshes according to the irradiation state assigned to the loop area. Pixel data is generated for each element of the mesh and output for display on a display device.

Abstract: A system and methods for wrapping a closed polygon around an object represented in a computer system, where the closed polygon is substantially adjacent to the object without intersecting or clipping the object. The system and methods are especially useful for fitting text close to the object in a word processor or page layout system. The method involves dividing the object into a number of horizontal threshold bands. Four points are sequentially positioned within each threshold band along the edge of the object in the band. The first and last points are located proximate to the object on the horizontal boundaries of the threshold band, but do not intersect the object. The middle points are located at the intersections of three defined lines. In this configuration, line segments between any of the four points do not and cannot intersect the object.

Abstract: A security enhancement for laptop computers comprises the use of a moving visible area and an obscured area for the laptop screen. The visible area may be defined by the user to comprise a single word, a single line, or a plurality of lines of data. The obscured area may comprise all remaining space on the laptop screen not defined as the visible area, A user may specify that the obscured area be completely hidden from view (i.e.., such as by blackening or whiting out the area) or difficult to view by others. The present invention is particularly useful with a laptop computer in a crowded environment such as while travelling on an airplane. The present invention will reduce the likelihood of unauthorized viewing of possibly sensitive computer data by others.